Yes, there are 2 examples given in the article that show the word ‘until’ meaning ‘until and after’, so this interpretation in this context is reasonable. (There are other similar examples scattered throughout the old and new testaments.)
Also, something I hadn’t thought of until I saw it on another thread here a few weeks ago. The angel said to Mary, “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.” The angel did not mention WHEN this would occur, he didn’t say ‘now’ or ‘tomorrow’ or ‘before you live with your husband’. It could have been any time in the future.
Why would a betrothed woman be confused by this if she intended to have children with her future husband? Wouldn’t she have just assumed it would be a natural conception sometime in the future? Is this an indication that Mary had already committed to remain a virgin in service to God and her planned marriage to Joseph was to be celibate? I don’t know....food for thought.
Those who object to Mary’s perpetual virginity on the basis of Mary ‘depriving’ Joseph of proper marital relations seem to forget that Joseph entered into this arrangement freely after being informed of the situation. We know that he abstained from relations with her while she was pregnant with Jesus. Why? Was that usual behavior for newlyweds?
I don’t believe (and I don’t think it is a Catholic doctrine) that it would have been sinful for them to have relations had they chosen to (either before or after Jesus’s birth). Neither do I believe Mary and Joseph’s marriage would have been sinful if they mutually agreed to be celibate out of respect for the fact that God Himself had inhabited her womb.
I also don’t believe that Mary remaining a virgin elevates her to ‘demigoddess’ status, any more than I believe that that status applies to any other virgin. I do however, consider her full of grace and blessed among women.
Love,
O2
Why would one be betrothed and also have a vow of perpetual virginity? That doesn’t make sense.
Because Mary knew how babies were made and knew she hadn't had sex yet.
It was a perfectly reasonable question that in no way implied more than she asked.